PRE-LAUNCH TESTING AND POLISH

In the pre-launch phase, UX teams focus on finalizing the user experience. We conduct extensive testing to ensure the game is free from usability issues and can deliver a seamless player experience. Collaborating with marketing and community management teams, UX professionals also gauge player expectations and perceptions, making final adjustments based on these insights. This phase is critical for ensuring that the game is not only functionally ready but also poised to meet the market's expectations.

Common Collaborators

In preparation for live services, UX professionals continue to work closely with product stakeholders, to ensure long-term strategy and content plans adhere to product goals while recognizing a dynamic competitive landscape. We collaborate directly with Marketing Teams to maintain alignment between user expectations and the game’s delivered experience.

Whether shipping new features for a billion-dollar title (Guild Wars 2) or finalizing a new product entry for worldwide launch (Gigantic, Hawken), I’ve held pivotal roles in the finalization, polish, and hardening phase of multiple award-winning titles.

I’ve formed critical partnerships with Community Managers, as they guage the community response and gather feedback about every aspect of design. I’ve partnered closely with Data Analysts to expose actionable insights and expose critical pain points in usability and accessibility.

Methods and Artifacts

Extensive beta testing is conducted to gather feedback from a larger, more diverse set of users than previous smaller samples. Stress testing ensures the game performs under heavy load conditions, and formal UX audits help identify any remaining issues before launch.

• Final Audio, Visual and Motion Design reinforces UI communication and echoes the game’s art direction, creating a dynamic and engaging user experience that aligns with the game's narrative and mechanics.

• Beta Test Feedback informs final design iterations to target a wide spectrum of player preferences and improve market readiness before launch.

• Cross-platform UX Audits evaluate the game against formal success criteria to identify and rectify any usability and accessibility issues before public release.

• Accessibility Testing of settings and affordances ensure the game is usable and enjoyable for players with diverse abilities, finalizing inclusivity before launch